Babies and immunizations?

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I was to have my first chemo today but they found out they hadn't ordered an echogram, so I'll try again next week. They started teaching me about my drugs and they told me I couldn't be around any babies or toddlers that had been given any vaccines or immunizations. My first grandchild is arriving within the next week. Does this mean I can't see my grandchild until all this mess is over? And, how do I know when I go out in public if I'll be around children that have just received a shot? Do I stay shut up inside my house, give up my job and stay away from people until this is over? I'm so confused.

Comments

  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited December 2013

    That doesn't make any sense at all. I taught full time during chemo, went to sporting events, band concerts, graduation parties, family reunions etc., all without problems. You don't have anything that anyone else can 'catch', and if you feel OK and take normal precautions (washing your hands, staying away from people who are obviously sick etc.) you should be able to do what you want and be with whomever you want.



  • Tobyholicdeb
    Tobyholicdeb Member Posts: 19
    edited December 2013

    I hope you're right.....my son and daughter in las are very upset, just like me.When they described the Red Devil drug.....it terrified me so much that I am seriously considering not taking the chemo.

  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited December 2013

    I just found this on a site called Onolink......it is written as a response to your same question:

    "The issue with vaccines is actually with those that are "live attenuated vaccines". These types of vaccines are created using the actual germ / bacteria, and thus could possibly infect someone who is immunocompromised. It is rare for this to occur, however, because the germ gets weaker as it goes through production in the laboratory. I’d say 5 days or so is plenty of time to "avoid" those exposures.

    The common live vaccines are:

    • MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
    • Oral polio
    • Varicella (chickenpox and shingles)

    As for flu vaccines (both seasonal flu and H1N1), only the nasal formula is live - the injection/shot formula is not."

  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited December 2013

    They have to tell you all the most horrible things that could possibly ever happen (but rarely do). I did 'The Red Devil' too. It was not fun, but not as horrible as I envisioned. As I said, I was able to keep a pretty normal schedule. Take your anti-nausea medication exactly as prescribed and drink lots of fluids. Get through this so you can have lots of time with that grandbaby!


  • Tobyholicdeb
    Tobyholicdeb Member Posts: 19
    edited December 2013

    oh my gosh.....thank you so much. I'll forward this on to my son and daughter in law right now.

  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited December 2013

    Well, you can probably use it to get out of .diaper changing, which wouldn't be such as bad thing Smile.

  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited December 2013

    Toby, I had my hubby postpone getting a shingle shot while I was having chemo, because it is a "live" virus. My chemo treatments were dose dense, my surgeon suggested I take time off work, as I work with young children. My oncologist agreed. Thank goodness they were upfront & told me it might be a tough road...I still have no idea, if those of us with worse diagnosis get more chemo, or if its all equal. Anyway, I took a leave of absence from work, got through chemo and now doing the daily radiation treatment. Good Luck with your treatment...keep posting & asking ? If you need help..

    Yes, I had the "red devil", It was horrific for me, my diagnosis did not let me have a choice...BUT a lot of women post that there experience was different, easier....

  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited December 2013

    I think it is helpful to remember that chemo is not your enemy, CANCER is. Chemo is like the Navy Seals, working FOR you, searching out and killing the terrorist cancer cells, cells which will kill you for sure if they are not killed first.

  • Tobyholicdeb
    Tobyholicdeb Member Posts: 19
    edited December 2013

    Thats a good way to describe chemo........thanks. I just have to get my brain in the right "mind set" instead of worrying about the possibility of heart damage. I went and got my hair cut short today. Just getting ready for it to fall out in the next few weeks. Hopefully I can get my first chemo started this Friday.

  • M360
    M360 Member Posts: 356
    edited January 2014

    Toby,

    I was told the same thing and my youngest daughter needed a booster.  My Oncologist coordinated with her GP so that she had the vaccination but one that is not "live".  They made such a fuss my whole life, because of my EDS my children could not have live virus vaccines and they received all their shots.  Your family should speak with their GP for their child and explain the situation and get non live vaccines.  This way you're not taking any extra chances.

  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited January 2014

    Have your Son/DIL call their pediatrician and find out what type (killed or modified live virus) vaccines were used and how long ago they were given/how long before the modified virus is still in their system - he/she will have that info.  In all my experiences (but I could be wrong), basically if it's injected, it's 'killed' and can only effect the person getting the injection.  If it's the nasal spray, it's 'modified live' and for a few days after getting it, someone without immunity could become infected.  Definately - you do not have to stay away from all children who have had some vaccine forever - just ones that were recently given certain vaccines. 

    Modified live vaccines are supposed to give better immunity for some virus but there is never any guarantee that any vaccine will work 100% of the time for 100% of those getting it and there is the possibility of it passing on to ones with no imminity.  In 1991, we were living in an area that had a big measles epidemic.  While at a healthy kid appt, younger son (12) was exposed to measles in the waiting room.  i got a call 2 days after that appt to get Son and his older brother another MMR even though they had already had more that was suggested at that time (a year before there had been a small outbreak on the other side of the state we were in then so had gotten Sons boosters).  Didn't worrry at all as they should have been well covered.  WRONG!  Exactly on schedule from the day he was at the appt. he came down with measles.  It hit him fairly hard but nothing like it HIT his older brother on schedule from yourger son.  He was not expected to live many hours - I was told to get ahold of his Dad who was floating on an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf during Desert Storm.In the time frame before they could get Hubby off the carrier and then start the long trip to FL, Son did rally so he was able to talk with Dad and tell him to stay and do his duty.  Sorry for 'rambling' but so many believe that a vaccination ENSURES you are covered completely - most are but not all.   G-daughter had to have the injection (killed) MMR as her Dad still, according to titre, has no immunity to mumps even after all the killed MMRs he's had and a modified nasal MMR .  Her titre shows she has immunity.

    We are all so different!

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